γλωσσόκομον

bag, purse, box, chest

Definition

The Greek word γλωσσόκομον (glōssokomon) refers to a container used for holding money or valuables. In its two New Testament occurrences, it is best understood as a 'money box' or 'purse' used by the disciples to hold their common funds (John 12:6). Some scholars suggest it could also denote a 'chest' or 'box,' a sense supported by its use in wider Greek literature for containers of scrolls or valuables. In John 13:29, Jesus instructs Judas, 'Buy what we need for the festival,' implying Judas, as treasurer, had control of this common purse, which underscores the word's primary meaning as a repository for group resources.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Gospel of John, appearing only in John 12:6 and John 13:29. In both instances, it refers to the money box that held the collective funds of Jesus and his disciples, which was entrusted to Judas Iscariot. The usage consistently highlights Judas's role as the group's treasurer and sets the context for his betrayal, as in John 12:6 where he is said to have been a thief and would pilfer from the box.

Etymology

Derived from γλῶσσα (glōssa), meaning 'tongue' or 'language,' and κομέω (komeō), meaning 'to take care of' or 'to keep.' Originally, it referred to a case for keeping the reeds of musical instruments or for scrolls (tongues of parchment). Over time, its meaning broadened to denote any container for valuables, such as a money box or chest, which is its sense in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

While primarily a mundane object, the 'money box' (glōssokomon) gains theological significance in John's Gospel as it is tied directly to Judas Iscariot's character and betrayal. It underscores themes of stewardship, trust, and hypocrisy, as Judas misused the communal resources he was entrusted to manage (John 12:6). This detail enriches the narrative of betrayal, showing how a practical item became an instrument in the unfolding of Jesus's passion, highlighting the corruption that can infect even positions of responsibility within a community.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, a γλωσσόκομον was a common container for money or valuables, often used by groups, families, or traveling companions to hold shared resources. Unlike modern personal wallets, it typically represented a communal treasury. This cultural practice explains why the disciples had a common purse, reflecting their shared life and resources under Jesus's leadership, with Judas acting as the appointed treasurer.

βαλλάντιον (ballantion, G905) — a more common term for a money bag or purse, often carried on one's person; ἀργύριον (argyrion, G694) — refers specifically to silver or money itself, not the container.

Word Details

Scripture References